| Backdoor |
Code that is often installed by malware that inserts itself into programs or operating systems to provide unauthorized access to data. |
| Bot |
A program used for specific functions such as; keeping ports open or launching a flood of packets during a DDoS attack. |
| Botnet |
A set of Bots installed onto a computer for use of creating DDoS attacks and sending SPAM. |
| Cracking |
Abbreviation of criminal hacking. |
| Data diddling |
Modifying data for your own expense i.e. changing grades, credit rates etc. |
| Data Leakage |
When an unauthorized transmission is allowing data to leave the system. This can be using a removal disk, printout, photographs of the screen etc. |
| Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack |
An attempt to make a machine or network resource unavailable. Usually involves spoofing packets or email headers. |
| Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack |
A type of DoS attack where multiple compromised systems, for example a Botnet, are used to target a single system causing a DoS attack. |
| DNS (Domain Name System) |
A system for naming individual computers and network services that is organized into a hierarchy of domains. It is commonly used by the internet to locate computers through friendly names. |
| Easter egg |
Undocumented, unauthorized program functions in a production program. |
| Exploit |
A method for exploiting a vulnerability to take control of a system or compromise it. |
| Hacking |
Gaining unauthorized access to data in a system or computer. |
| Hacktivism |
Politcally or ideologically-motivated vandalism e.g. defacing a website with reason. |
| Identity Theft |
Creating a false identity with someone else’s identity information like; name, national insurance number etc. |
| Impersonation |
Pretending to be someone or something you are not. |
| Latency |
The time between the stimulation and the response. The period where a logic bomb, virus or worm refrains damage (delivering the payload). Long latency can result in severe consequences for infected systems. |
| Login Bomb |
A form of virus. A program in which damage (the payload) is delivered when a particular condition occurs. |
| Mail-bombing |
Sending large numbers of unwanted emails to a single recipient or to a group of recipients, this is not SPAM it is a form of DoS. |
| Malware |
Abbreviation of Malicious software, categorizes dangerous software like; Ransomware, Trojan horses, viruses, worms, rootkits etc. |
| Master Program |
In a DDoS attack, a program that communicates with implanted zombie programs on compromised computers. The master program usually transmits instructions to zombies with details of the targeted system. |
| Payload |
The activities that malware perform on an infected computer. |
| Penetration |
Unauthorized access to restricted systems. |
| Piggybacking |
Getting access to secure locations by following an authorized person through the grid. |
| Phishing |
Using forged emails or websites that imitate an official communication or page to trick people into revealing logon credentials or other private information. Often used for piggybacking, identity-theft or fraud. |
| Root Kit |
A script used to gain unauthorized root privileges on compromised systems. |
| Sabotage |
Deliberate damage to to operations or equipment. |
| Salami theft |
Technique of accumulating round-off errors and saving them up for a later withdrawal. |
| Scavenging |
Using discarded listings, tapes or other storage media to find useful information like access codes, credentials and any other sensitive data. |
| Spear Phishing |
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| Scripts |
Any simple program. |
| Time bomb |
A malicious program that waits for a specific time before activating its payloads. Time bomb is a form of logic bomb found in Trojan horses. |
| Trojan Horses |
In reference to the Greek myth, a Trojan Horse is an innocent looking program that can alter data, record passwords, send confidential data, open back doors and much more. |
| Vandalism |
Destruction or malicious modification without authorization. |
| Virus |
A piece of code that is capable of duplicating itself and can cause payloads like corrupting systems and destroying data. |
| Vulnerability |
A weakness or flaw in a computer system, network or program that allows attacks from malware. |
| Wiretapping |
Using unauthorized equipment or software to eavesdrop on data or voice transmissions e.g. installing Keystrokes onto a computer to find what a person is typing. |
| Worm |
Like a virus, however spreads through computer systems and networks duplicating itself without integrating itself into other executable code. |
| Zombie |
A program that waits in victims computers for instructions, commonly used to cause DDoS attacks. |
